ST. LOUIS – The limited commercial introduction of new Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ corn this spring is being welcomed by farmers as a major technology advancement that will save them time and simplify refuge management.

Genuity SmartStax seed for the broadest spectrum of above and below ground insect control and 5 percent refuge (non-Bt) seed in each bag that farmers in the Corn Belt can plant across their entire field. Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete corn is the industry’s first “single-bag” approach for insect refuge management, since farmers are no longer required to plant a separate, structured refuge in the Corn Belt on whole fields planted to this technology.

In a survey conducted by Monsanto, farmers ranked the most important benefits of the technology as including:

• Simpler refuge management.

• No need to buy or keep separate trait and refuge corn seed.

• Time savings.

• Greater whole farm yield potential because of the 5 percent refuge, the lowest in the Corn Belt.

• No need to change seed during planting.

“This new technology offers multiple benefits to farmers, and it all adds up to greater simplicity and convenience in refuge management,” said Matt Kirkpatrick, Monsanto Corn Traits Marketing Manager. Genuity SmartStax RIB Complete corn was commercially introduced this season in the Corn Belt, giving farmers a chance to trial the new technology before a full launch planned for the 2012 growing season.

Pending regulatory approval, next season Monsanto is also planning to introduce Genuity® VT Double PRO™ RIB Complete™ corn. It is designed to deliver the same refuge management benefits, providing control of above ground pests for farmers in parts of the central and southern Corn Belt where corn rootworm is less of an issue.

For more information, farmers can contact their seed representative or visit www.genuity.com.